title: Spontaneous recovery and treatment effects in patients with homonymous visual field defects: a meta-analysis of existing literature in terms of the ICF framework.
abstract: Homonymous visual field defects (HVFDs) are a common consequence of posterior brain injury. Most patients do not recover spontaneously and require rehabiliation. To determine whether a certain intervention may help an individual patient, it is necessary to predict the patient's level of functioning and the effect of specific training. We provide an overview of both the existing literature on HVFDs in terms of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) components and the variables predicting the functioning of HVFD patients or the effect of treatment. We systematically analyzed 221 publications on HVFD. All variables included in these articles were classified according to the ICF, as developed by the World Health Organization, and checked for their predictive value. We found that ICF helps to clarify the scope of the existing literature and provides a framework for designing future studies, which should consider including more outcome measures related to Activities and Participation. Although several factors have been described that predict HVFD patients' level of functioning or the effects of training, additional research is necessary to identify more.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Royal Dutch Visio, Centre of Expertise for Blind and Partially Sighted People, Huizen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: G.A.de.Haan@rug.nl.
authors.forename: Gera A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: de Haan
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Royal Dutch Visio, Centre of Expertise for Blind and Partially Sighted People, Huizen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Joost
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heutink
authors.affiliation: Royal Dutch Visio, Centre of Expertise for Blind and Partially Sighted People, Huizen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Bart J M
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Melis-Dankers
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tucha
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Wiebo H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Brouwer
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D006423:Hemianopsia / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D064702:International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: ICF; activities; body functions; hemianopia; homonymous visual field defects; occipital lobes; participation; predictors; rehabilitation; treatment outcome